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Case Report

Recurrent Optical Neuritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a case of benign form of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

Author(s):

Henrique Costa, Olinda Faria, and Joana Guimarães

Abstract:

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) can occur in the context of autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus, in what is now defined as NMO spectrum disorders (NMOSD).

Case Report: We describe a case of a 32-year old woman with recurrent optic neuritis and a long-standing history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She was subsequently found to be seropositive for neuromyelitis optica immunoglobulin G (NMO-IgG) (anti-aquaporin-4 antibody) and was diagnosed with NMOSD. Five years after this diagnosis the patient remains clinical stable (no relapses) with low doses of oral prednisolone.

Discussion: There are no specific recommendations for the treatment of NMO/SLE overlapping cases and few data exist on a possible benign form of NMO. We present a case illustrative of a good-outcome NMOSD.